Greyhounds Escape With 21-20 Victory

October 13, 1985|by JOHN JAY FOX, The Morning Call

Rocco Calvo would probably be annoyed at being asked if Barry Goldwater was a member of his coaching staff. He'd vehemently deny that a conservative second half game plan caused Moravian to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in yesterday's 21-20 Middle Atlantic Conference decision over Wilkes.

The veteran instructor would swear that the Greyhounds didn't sit on a 21- point lead, and that Wilkes' surge in the final 30 minutes was the result of the 'Hounds ineptness and the Colonials' ability to turn the big play.

The facts and figures seem to bear him out.

In the first half, the 'Hounds ran the ball 27 times for 58 yards, were 13-for-18 passing for 200 yards, rolled up 14 first downs, and scored 21 points. In the second half, Moravian ran 22 times for 45 yards, was 5-for-13 passing for 64 yards, garnered just seven first downs and gave up 20 points.

Add to that time of possession - heavily in Wilkes' favor after intermission - plus three key last minute turnovers, and you'd focus in on what went down at Steel Field during Parents' Day festivities.

"We are happy as hell that we won the game," Calvo said after the one- point win. "I don't feel we were conservative at all. Hell, we didn't capitalize, we made stupid mistakes and we didn't execute because Wilkes was putting pressure on us (in the second half).

"Routes weren't run, passes weren't thrown properly, and Wilkes was able to put more pressure on the running game," Calvo explained. "We also fumbled the ball and threw it away late to hand them (Wilkes) chances.

"In the first half, we ran the ball well, threw the ball better than I ever thought that we could, and moved the ball on the ground. That's why we scored 21 points."

The cause of Moravian's scoring bonanza can be credited to the arm of Frank Godshall and the wheels of Jimmy Joseph. Doug Derstine's fumble recovery handed the 'Hounds an early opportunity, but Charles Parry's 35-yard field goal try went wide midway through the first period.

At the top of the second stanza, Moravian slapped together its first scoring march. Joseph rushed for five yards, than snared a Godshall pass for a first down at his 34. Another toss fell short, but Godshall connected with a streaking Jim Lasko, and the 'Hounds completed a 46-yard aerial to the Wilkes 19.

Joseph squirmed for three, Lasko grabbed another pass for seven, and the former Parkland running back crashed over from the 1 behind the block of Rich Krouse. Parry added the boot.

Following a punt to its own 26, and return by Mark Massessa to the 39, Moravian mounted its second scoring bid. Ken Buggy opened the effort, Godshall fired to Tim McLaughlin for eight, and Joseph scooted to the 38. A holding call against the Colonels moved the markers to the 28, and Lasko raced down the right sideline and glided under a Godshall lob with 5:55 to intermission.

The 'Hounds continued to pile it on, making it three handles and three straight scores, as a return by John Patrignani and clip set the ball at the 24. Following a second down sack, Godshall made up for the lost real estate with a 21-yard bolt to Fran Storey and a 14-yard jointure with Lasko.

Two plays later, the senior signal caller spotted McLaughlin for a nine- yard gain, then tossed down the right sideline for a 28-yard TD to a streaking Storey. Perry's boot set the halftime numbers at 21-0.

Wilkes' longest drive of the afternoon resulted in its initial score, as an unsportsmanlike conduct call against Moravian - for kicking - kept the drive alive at the Greyhounds' 31. Brad Scarborough greeted Tony DiGrazia with a 10-yard completion, and gained 20 yards on a toss to Jon Smith.

From the 3, Courtney McFarlain tallied on a short pop as Wilkes pulled to within 21-6.

Wilkes attempted to narrow the margin moments later, after Bill Bingham jumped on a fumble at midfield, but tosses into the end zone where knocked away by Lee Metz and Dave Matlack.

Tom Sobers set up Wilkes' second tally, blocking a Chris DeMarco punt at the 24 halfway through the final period, and getting a roll to the Moravian 10. McFarlain rushed to the 7, and Bill McDonagh dropped a sure touchdown. But, one snap later, DiGrazia hauled down a Scarborough heave and Wilkes was within 21-12.

Moravian continued to have its problems against the surging Colonels, as Moravian was forced to punt after five plays. Dave Massi returned the boot from the 36, and on the first play of the drive, DiGrazia flared right on an out-pattern, gathered in a short throw from Scarborough, and ran 64 yards down the right sideline as the margin closed to 21-18.

On a busted point-after attempt, Keith Conlon sneaked into the end zone, and Wilkes trailed by one.

The 'Hounds attempted to hold off the comeback bid, relying on the passing game and moving from their 24 to the opposite 28 on two big tosses. On the next throw, however, Godshall fired into the hands of Conlon, and Wilkes had its shot at a win.

The Colonels used the pass for their own big plays, moving to the Moravian 17, then rushed the ball to the middle of the field for a 26-yard field goal try by Dan Kolar.

With 1:04 left to play, the boot sailed wide right, and Moravian escaped with a victory.